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Economy of Venezuela vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Venezuela has a GDP of $120B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 65/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Venezuela has $197B in government debt (164.3% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Venezuela vs Yemen GDP by year

Venezuela
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Venezuela Yemen
2024 $119,802,963,258 -
2023 $102,376,526,556 -
2022 $89,013,255,585 -
2021 $56,614,976,855 -
2020 $42,838,020,721 -
2019 $73,014,084,091 -
2018 $102,021,093,965 $21,606,160,663
2017 $115,883,275,163 $26,842,229,045
2016 $112,915,034,262 $31,317,825,274
2015 $125,449,241,571 $42,444,490,074
2014 $214,689,614,733 $43,228,585,321
2013 $258,930,655,486 $40,415,233,436
2012 $372,592,062,768 $35,401,331,610
2011 $316,482,190,800 $32,726,417,878
2010 $393,192,354,511 $30,906,749,533
2009 $329,787,628,928 $25,130,278,213
2008 $315,953,388,511 $26,910,855,807
2007 $230,364,012,576 $21,650,528,674
2006 $183,477,522,124 $19,063,143,370
2005 $145,513,489,652 $16,731,566,717
2004 $112,451,400,425 $13,867,634,371
2003 $83,620,628,582 $11,777,532,662
2002 $92,893,587,734 $10,693,430,511
2001 $122,911,036,747 $9,852,990,693
2000 $117,146,466,003 $9,679,316,770
1999 $97,972,842,462 $7,639,325,296
1998 $91,336,763,255 $6,322,175,566
1997 $85,837,678,560 $6,838,298,531
1996 $70,543,211,119 $6,496,163,616
1995 $77,389,487,770 $12,796,345,679
1994 $58,418,666,667 $28,019,483,764
1993 $60,037,460,783 $21,736,802,664
1992 $60,416,519,620 $17,959,367,194
1991 $53,453,444,787 $14,665,445,462
1990 $48,606,952,195 $12,643,821,569
1989 $43,536,709,104 -
1988 $60,226,413,793 -
1987 $48,029,034,483 -
1986 $60,516,123,711 -
1985 $61,965,466,667 -
1984 $59,867,743,468 -
1983 $67,556,279,070 -
1982 $67,736,744,186 -
1981 $66,327,441,860 -
1980 $59,116,511,628 -
1979 $48,310,930,233 -
1978 $39,316,279,070 -
1977 $36,210,697,674 -
1976 $31,419,534,884 -
1975 $27,464,651,163 -
1974 $26,100,930,233 -
1973 $17,035,581,395 -
1972 $13,977,727,273 -
1971 $12,986,590,909 -
1970 $11,561,111,111 -
1969 $10,285,111,111 -
1968 $10,034,444,444 -
1967 $9,250,000,000 -
1966 $8,781,333,333 -
1965 $8,427,777,778 -
1964 $8,192,413,793 -
1963 $9,608,717,288 -
1962 $8,814,309,884 -
1961 $8,067,267,031 -
1960 $7,663,938,303 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Venezuela vs Yemen by year

Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Venezuela Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,218 - - -
2023 $3,617 - - -
2022 $3,155 - - -
2021 $2,005 - - -
2020 $1,506 - - -
2019 $2,523 - - -
2018 $3,423 - $634 -
2017 $3,791 - $811 -
2016 $3,670 - $975 -
2015 $4,103 - $1,362 -
2014 $7,096 - $1,430 -
2013 $8,656 - $1,379 $3,164
2012 $12,607 - $1,245 $3,005
2011 $10,844 $21,241 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $13,646 $20,236 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $11,597 $20,562 $969 $3,411
2008 $11,262 $21,402 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $8,332 $20,236 $890 $3,294
2006 $6,739 $18,399 $810 $3,205
2005 $5,432 $16,511 $734 $3,113
2004 $4,269 $14,757 $628 $2,949
2003 $3,230 $12,359 $549 $2,844
2002 $3,652 $13,375 $513 $2,768
2001 $4,920 $14,714 $487 $2,702
2000 $4,776 $14,174 $493 $2,624
1999 $4,071 $13,623 $401 $2,492
1998 $3,870 $14,568 $343 $2,442
1997 $3,711 $14,655 $383 $2,351
1996 $3,113 $13,824 $375 $2,268
1995 $3,487 $13,890 $764 $2,201
1994 $2,689 $13,370 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $2,825 $13,702 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $2,907 $13,652 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $2,633 $12,880 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $2,452 $11,628 $910 $1,742
1989 $2,250 - - -
1988 $3,191 - - -
1987 $2,611 - - -
1986 $3,376 - - -
1985 $3,549 - - -
1984 $3,520 - - -
1983 $4,079 - - -
1982 $4,202 - - -
1981 $4,228 - - -
1980 $3,874 - - -
1979 $3,257 - - -
1978 $2,727 - - -
1977 $2,585 - - -
1976 $2,309 - - -
1975 $2,078 - - -
1974 $2,034 - - -
1973 $1,367 - - -
1972 $1,155 - - -
1971 $1,106 - - -
1970 $1,015 - - -
1969 $932 - - -
1968 $938 - - -
1967 $893 - - -
1966 $876 - - -
1965 $869 - - -
1964 $874 - - -
1963 $1,060 - - -
1962 $1,007 - - -
1961 $954 - - -
1960 $939 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

Venezuela's GDP per capita is $4,218, ranking 128/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Venezuela Yemen
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
65/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
5.3%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$4,218
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,241
2011
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
93/197
2011
178/197
2013
Government debt
$197B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
164.3%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,931
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
69/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,792
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.98B
2002
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.2%
2006
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2006
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
49%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
58.4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2020
13.5%
2014
Population
28661242
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Venezuela
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Venezuela Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.6% 164.3% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 13.1% 138.5% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 15.1% 164.4% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 13.1% 254.2% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 11.2% 337% 10.6% 87%
2019 21% 206% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 37.9% 175.3% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 21.8% 133.6% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 19.7% 138.4% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 22.9% 129.8% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 31.6% 84.9% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 36.5% 85.4% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 38% 58.4% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 39.4% 52.5% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 31.1% 37.7% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 33.3% 27.6% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 34.9% 20.3% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 35.9% 26.4% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 39.3% 25.7% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 33.5% 34.9% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 31.9% 41.8% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 32.2% 56% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 31% 48.2% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 31.9% 30.7% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 28.3% 27.7% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 26.1% 29.6% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 28.8% 30.7% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 31% 34.8% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 27.7% 45.9% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 32.9% 45.9% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 42.2% 63.9% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 27.7% 57.7% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 30.6% 54.8% 24.6% 78%
1991 33.9% 62.2% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 31.9% 63.3% 26.6% 91.6%
1989 32.5% 61.8% - -
1988 33.2% 46.3% - -
1987 25.1% 58.3% - -
1986 21.5% 45.9% - -
1985 20.3% 34.1% - -
1984 19.7% 36.4% - -
1983 25.3% 21.4% - -
1982 29% 18.6% - -
1981 29.6% 18.9% - -
1980 22% 16.6% - -
1979 22.3% 19.2% - -
1978 29.2% 16.6% - -
1977 30.6% 12.7% - -
1976 26.6% 9.64% - -
1975 33.8% 8.31% - -
1974 35.3% 7.72% - -
1973 20% 9.78% - -
1972 21.3% 10.6% - -
1971 19.6% 9.64% - -
1970 19.5% 10.6% - -
1969 21% 9.91% - -
1968 19.8% 7.84% - -
1967 19.8% 6.74% - -
1966 19.1% 5.84% - -
1965 18.7% 5.46% - -
1964 17.9% 4.95% - -
1963 18.7% 6.3% - -
1962 17.6% 7.24% - -
1961 11.8% 8.79% - -
1960 23.7% 8.28% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

In 2024, Venezuela's government spending was $21.1B, accounting for 17.6% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 164.3% in Venezuela and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 5/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Venezuela

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Venezuela Yemen
2024 -3.6% -2.48%
2023 -1.25% -5.63%
2022 -5.29% -2.15%
2021 -5.85% -0.89%
2020 -6.63% -4.3%
2019 -10.9% -5.89%
2018 -31% -7.85%
2017 -13.3% -4.9%
2016 -8.46% -8.51%
2015 -8.06% -8.75%
2014 -9.81% -4.14%
2013 -10.4% -6.9%
2012 -9.86% -6.32%
2011 -8.24% -4.51%
2010 -4.74% -4.06%
2009 -8.69% -10.2%
2008 -3.46% -4.53%
2007 -2.82% -7.18%
2006 -1.6% 1.19%
2005 4.09% -1.82%
2004 2.47% -2.15%
2003 0.17% -4.2%
2002 -1.48% -0.56%
2001 -4.59% 2.79%
2000 4.45% 6.09%
1999 0.74% 0.06%
1998 -4.49% -7.77%
1997 2.58% -1.5%
1996 7.94% -0.92%
1995 -5.86% -5.74%
1994 -11.2% -14%
1993 -2.92% -12.8%
1992 -6.37% -10.9%
1991 -2.28% -5.76%
1990 3.84% -10.3%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -9.24% -
1987 -7.47% -
1986 0.82% -
1985 6.97% -
1984 5.33% -
1983 1.24% -
1982 -0.17% -
1981 4.74% -
1980 4.41% -
1979 -3.07% -
1978 -5.44% -
1977 -4.69% -
1976 1.65% -
1975 0.88% -
1974 2.76% -
1973 1.98% -
1972 0.42% -
1971 0.78% -
1970 -1.22% -
1969 -2.17% -
1968 -0.32% -
1967 0.51% -
1966 0.23% -
1965 0.39% -
1964 1.91% -
1963 1.92% -
1962 2.14% -
1961 -1.91% -
1960 -4.08% -
1959 -4.98% -
1958 -4.86% -
1957 6.7% -
1956 0.76% -
1955 0.38% -
1954 1.84% -
1953 0.03% -
1952 -0.5% -
1951 -0.24% -
1950 -0.23% -
1949 0.15% -
1948 1.27% -
1947 0.09% -
1946 -0.9% -
1945 2.9% -
1944 1.85% -
1943 -0.27% -
1942 0.2% -
1941 0.01% -
1940 -1.07% -
1939 -0.78% -
1938 0.68% -
1937 0.73% -
1936 -0.52% -
1935 -2.23% -
1934 1.34% -
1933 1.03% -
1932 0.51% -
1931 1.02% -
1930 -2.03% -
1929 -0.34% -
1928 -0.68% -
1927 1.55% -
1926 0.14% -
1925 0.54% -
1924 0.37% -
1923 1.32% -
1922 1.57% -
1921 -0.97% -
1920 -1.75% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Venezuela's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $31.6B, equivalent to 31% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Venezuela recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Venezuela posted an annual deficit equal to 4.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Venezuela

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Venezuela Yemen
2024 49% 33.9%
2023 338% 0.9%
2022 186.5% 29.5%
2021 1,589% 31.5%
2020 2,355% 21.7%
2019 19,906% 15.7%
2018 65,374% 33.6%
2017 438% 30.4%
2016 254.9% 21.3%
2015 121.7% 22%
2014 62.2% 8.2%
2013 40.6% 11%
2012 21.1% 9.9%
2011 26.1% 19.5%
2010 28.2% 11.2%
2009 26% 3.7%
2008 31.4% 19%
2007 18.7% 7.9%
2006 13.7% 10.8%
2005 16% 9.9%
2004 21.7% 12.5%
2003 31.1% 10.8%
2002 22.4% 12.2%
2001 12.5% 11.9%
2000 16.2% 11%
1999 23.6% 7.9%
1998 35.8% 11.5%
1997 50% 4.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Venezuela has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3,254%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 49% in Venezuela and 33.9% in Yemen.

Balance of trade

Venezuela Yemen
Current account balance
-$3.87B
2016
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
161/190
2016
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.43%
2016
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$16.3B
2016
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$27.4B
2016
$473M
2016
Service imports
$9.47B
2016
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$1.28B
2016
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.22%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Venezuela Yemen
Economic freedom 27.3 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 194/197 138/197
Property rights 0 3.5
Government integrity 6.9 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.1 9.9
Tax burden 73.4 93.7
Government spending 93 0
Fiscal health 29.1 71.2
Business freedom 31.1 31.3
Labor freedom 35.5 31.2
Monetary freedom 0 48.1
Trade freedom 43.2 67.4
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 10 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Venezuela
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Venezuela Yemen
2026 27.3 -
2025 27.6 -
2024 28.1 -
2023 25.8 -
2022 24.8 -
2021 24.7 -
2020 25.2 -
2019 25.9 -
2018 25.2 -
2017 27 -
2016 33.7 -
2015 34.3 53.7
2014 36.3 55.5
2013 36.1 55.9
2012 38.1 55.3
2011 37.6 54.2
2010 37.1 54.4
2009 39.9 56.9
2008 44.7 53.8
2007 47.9 54.1
2006 44.6 52.6
2005 45.2 53.8
2004 46.7 50.5
2003 54.8 50.3
2002 54.7 48.6
2001 54.6 44.3
2000 57.4 44.5
1999 56.1 43.3
1998 54 46.1
1997 52.8 48.4
1996 54.5 49.6
1995 59.8 49.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Venezuela is 27.3, ranking 194/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Venezuela Yemen
Services, % of GDP
51.7%
2014
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2014
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.03%
2014
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$109B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,800
2011
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$9.79B
2017
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
77/177
2017
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$27M
2016
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.63B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.6B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2015
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
4.9%
2024
6.18%
2018

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/venezuela/yemen | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.